Preparation for the Gift
Study note
Paul explains why he is sending brothers ahead to Corinth: to ensure the promised collection is ready before he arrives with Macedonian companions. He wants the gift to be a genuine expression of generosity rather than something given reluctantly under pressure, protecting both the Corinthians' dignity and his own credibility.
1 Truly, I do not even need to write to you about this offering for God's people. For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 I already know how eager you are. I have been bragging about you to the Macedonians, telling them that you in Achaia have been ready since last year. Your enthusiasm got most of them fired up too. For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
3 Still, I am sending these brothers to make sure our bragging about you comes true. I want you to be ready, just like I told them you would be. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Imagine how embarrassing it would be if some Macedonians came with me and found you unprepared. We would be humiliated -- and so would you -- for being so confident. Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 So I thought I should send the brothers ahead to help arrange the gift you already promised. That way it will be ready as a willing offering, not something squeezed out of you. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
The Blessings of Generous Giving
Study note
Paul lays out the spiritual principles of generous giving using agricultural imagery: those who sow generously will reap generously. He emphasizes that giving should come from a willing heart, since God loves a cheerful giver. God's abundant grace ensures that generous believers will always have enough for themselves and for every good work. The ultimate result of generosity is not just meeting practical needs but producing overflowing thanksgiving to God.
6 Think about this: a farmer who only plants a few seeds will only get a small harvest. But a farmer who plants many seeds will get a great harvest. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Each one must give as they have decided in their heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 God can flood you with every kind of blessing. That way, you will always have more than enough of everything. And you can be giving in every good thing you do. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 As the Scripture says: "He gave freely to the poor. His goodness goes on forever." (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 The God who provides seeds for planting and bread for eating will also provide and multiply what you give. He will grow a bigger and bigger harvest of generosity in your life. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 God will make you rich in every way so that you can be generous whenever there is a need. And when we deliver your generosity, it will cause people to thank God. Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 This gift you are giving does two things. It meets the real needs of God's people. And it makes many people give thanks to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Your giving proves that your faith is real, and people will praise God for it. They will thank him because you obey the good news about Christ and because you share so generously with them and with everyone. Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 They will also pray for you with deep affection because God has given you such amazing grace. And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thank God for his gift -- it is too wonderful for words! Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.